Julianne Hough Reflects on Her Transformative Relationship with Ryan Seacrest

On Her Romance With Ex Ryan Seacrest

When Julianne Hough embarked on a romantic journey with Ryan Seacrest in 2010, she found herself stepping into a realm filled with lavish experiences—think luxury vacations, exclusive courtside seats at Lakers games, and enchanting date nights that felt straight out of a movie. This shift introduced her to a lifestyle that many only dream of. In a candid conversation during an August 2024 episode of Dax Shepard’s well-regarded podcast Armchair Expert, she expressed her feelings, saying, “The rug was swept up from underneath me and I was just flying.” The whirlwind of new experiences opened her eyes to a world she had never known before, but it also brought forth insecurities, leading her to think, ‘I don’t ever want anybody to think that I’m with him for this reason. So I then started playing smaller.’

As her relationship progressed, Julianne noticed significant personal transformations. She admitted, “I, again, overcompensated, was malleable to fit into exactly what somebody needed me to be for them to be happy.” This self-reflection led her to an important realization about love and identity. “What I’ve realized over the years is I don’t know if I’ve ever truly been in love with someone, but I have loved the feeling of being loved. And so let me be what that needs to be so that I can be loved. And then because I’m so filled with love from someone, of course I love you. I love everyone. I’ve been in love with everybody I’ve ever dated, but have I? I don’t wanna overanalyze it because every person I’ve also dated has been a very good person.” This introspective journey highlights the complexities of love and self-identity in relationships.

Following the couple’s split in 2013, Julianne recalled experiencing waves of judgment from the community, particularly the “Brentwood moms and producers” who questioned her decision to end the relationship. “They’re like, ‘Your life is completely set up,'” she shared, reflecting on their reactions. In response, she firmly stated, “But I didn’t build it.” This statement underscores her desire for personal growth and autonomy. “And of course I was like, ‘I need to create this,’ competitively, like, ‘it’s not mine, and I wanna feel the pride of doing it.’” Her journey emphasizes the importance of self-identity and the courage to pursue one’s own path, even in the face of societal expectations.